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Tuesday, June 20, 2017

SuiteSports' 2017 MIAA Baseball All-State Team

Along with making the Super 8 finals, both St. John (Shrewsbury) and St. John's Prep are represented on our first ever all-state team.

By SuiteSports Staff

Earlier today, SuiteSports unveiled its first ever MIAA Baseball Player of the Year. As the recipient of the award, BC High junior RHP Mike Vasil is also the first member of our all-state team, and you can read more about him here.

The ace of the top team in Massachusetts, Seymour was the most dominant left-hander in the Bay State in 2017. Never one to shy away from the big moment, Seymour came through with key victories over BC High and St. John’s Prep in the regular season, before throwing a complete game in the first round of the Super Eight. He topped of his terrific season by getting the final out of the Super Eight tournament to give the Pioneers the title. On the year, Seymour went 4-0 with an ERA under 0.50, and will continue his playing career at Virginia Tech in the fall.

Henry Funaro, RHP, Sr., Lowell

Steve Hajjar, LHP, Jr., Central CatholicFor the first time in the tournament’s brief four-year history, Central Catholic secured a spot in the Division 1A Super Eight tournament, largely due to the play of Hajjar. The left-hander was nearly unhittable for the entirety of the season, allowing just three earned runs over 38.1 innings while striking out 69. One of the top two way players in Massachusetts, Hajjar complimented his play on the mound with a .316 average at the plate to go with two home runs and 15 RBI. Only a junior, Hajjar is committed to Michigan for the fall of 2018.

Nate Espelin, LHP, Jr., Belmont

Belmont became the second Division 2 program to make the Division 1A Super Eight tournament largely behind the arm of their ace in Espelin. The lefty proved to be a crafty starter for the Marauders, as he mixed the pinpoint control he had with his fastball with a big curveball. For the year, Espelin went 6-2 over 11 appearances, pitching to the tune of a 1.33 ERA. Over 63 innings of work he struck out 92 and walked 20. Only a junior, Espelin figures to be one of the top pitchers in Massachusetts once again in 2018.

Matt Stansky, RHP, Sr., St. John’s (Shrewsbury)

Starting Nine

Jack Gardner, Catcher, Sr., St. John’s (Shrewsbury)

Tyler MacGregor, Third Baseman, Jr., St. John’s Prep

Charlie Auditore, Shortstop, Jr., Walpole

Frank DiOrio, OF., Sr., St. John’s PrepOne of the biggest bats in the state, DiOrio was a major reason why St. John's Prep was able to make its third consecutive appearance in the Super 8 finals. His two-home run game in the Super 8 opener, which included a grand slam and six total RBI, will be remembered as one of the most dominant plate performances of 2017.Sal Frelick, Infielder, Jr., Lexington

Drew DeMartino, Shortstop, Jr., Taconic

Hard to imagine Taconic having a better season, and DeMartino's presence in the middle of the infield, and as the team's most consistent hitter with a .455 average, where big reasons why. The speedy shortstop led Taconic to a historic 24-1 record and the program's first ever state championship. En route to the D1 title, the Braves even avenged their only loss of the season - against Western Mass power Pope Francis - early on in the D1 West tournament.

Alex Kennedy, Designated Hitter, Jr., Braintree

While the Wamps ultimately came up short of their goal of a third consecutive Super 8 crown, Kennedy was nothing short of brilliant in both the regular and posteason. A true "all fields" hitter who powered the heart of Braintree's lineup, Kennedy is sure to be one of the most feared returning players in the state next season.